For Want Of A Better Word by E

Irish band, Leaders Of Men, have released their latest single, "For Want Of A Better Word", which features frantic guitar riffs, prominent drums, and a sweet melody as addictive as Ashe's vocals are compelling. 

Articulate lyrics "it's not a war on her, it's a war on my pride" stand with a fun instrumentation that feels free, easily mixing the urgent, emotional guitar riffs with a heavy bass and sturdy drums. 

A straight to the point chorus offers up an honest explanation for the failed relationship with "and so I crawl away, for want of a better word, the easy way, it's too hard for me to be in love" trotted out unabashedly by Ashe's awesomely unique vocals that sound a bit like a smoky twist on a young Neil Sedaka; truly entrancing.

Listen to the single from Leaders Of Men below and head to the websites to find out more about the band and their forthcoming EP, Alexander House, due for release August 18th.

"For Want Of A Better Word" Leaders Of Men

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Collide by E

EVVY's "Collide" feels remarkably fresh with a sweet pop melody holding out over heavy synths and pulsing percussions.

The track, produced by Mickey Valen & The King, is simultaneously light and grounded, the duo's incredible knack for highlighting the best parts of the melody and rhythm by bringing them to the top, without allowing the production to drown out even the sweetest vocals, in full swing. EVVY's pure vocals ring out clearly as lyrics "I looked all over your face to find the reason it makes me feel so damn new" and "your lips, they used to haunt me, but now you want me and I'm floating off the ground" seek to explain the complexities of new love while a fun melody works to keep up with the prominent beat.

A bridge which features "oh, I crash into you, and I'm better being broken, and you've got me movin' to your heartbeat, to your heartbeat" played out over a simple piano line with some hearty percussion thrown in is insanely addictive and there's no way to sit still while listening to that final refrain. 

Few tracks are more satisfying to the ear than one of Mickey Valen & The King's and not many female vocalists have a sound as sweetly rich and pure as EVVY's, so check out "Collide" below, head to the websites, and listen to tracks "Got Me Movin'" and "Haze" for good music that breathes fresh summer vibes.

"Collide" EVVY

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Apart by E

Halcyon Drive's latest single "Apart" features full vocals plaintively begging "can we find another way around this, 'cause I would love you every day you wanted me to" whilst a steady percussion offers up a rhythm as emotional as those lyrics, with desperate lashes and heavy beats balancing out a soft and winding melody.

A deliciously hard hitting bridge (around 2:55) presents the wonderful competition between a heavy, emotional percussion, filled with anger and frustration at the fact that it just won't work, juxtaposing beautifully with a pretty vocal harmony that bleeds hope.

Listen to "Apart" and check out the websites below to find out more about the band and to hear lead single, "Whitewash", from the band's forthcoming debut EP.

"Apart" Halcyon Drive

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Music Related News by E

  • Sheppard is all set to make their US debut with their catchy hooks, sweet melodies, and lovable lyrics. Look for them to take over iTunes charts soon with their single "Geronimo" that turns a childhood exclamation into an endearing provocation and listen to tracks "Hold My Tongue" and "Let Me Down Easy" to hear why you should already be loving their sound. 
  • Calan Mai released his music video for single "We've Got Love" and it gave me a reason to start listening to the track on repeat again (and thank fuck for that because this track is as great as it is adorable). The fun, single-shot, simple concept video has Australia written all over it and, above all, those lyrics are sweet; listen and love. 
  • Fragile Creatures' "Sunshine" is understated pop with a light feel despite its heavy beat; articulate lyrics that scream 'alternative' are held against a reggae-esque rhythm that makes the track oh so irresistible. Look for their debut EP to be released mid-August.
  • Rob Drabkin released the video for single "Don't Worry About Me" and the track and simple video concept are so pure it aches in its perfection. With the constant music turnaround that this site sees, along with the absolute need to write about at least fifty percent of the music sent this way (i.e. only the good stuff makes it through), leaving little to no time to look for personal tracks, I had nearly forgotten what it felt like when a song made you feel like it was saying everything you've never been able to. Not to dismiss the fact that that string arrangement is more moving than every Top 40 song currently on the charts (put together), nothing has ever been sweeter than that guitar, and Drabkin's vocals ring with such plaintive honesty that the grief is palpable and that omnipresent feeling of hope breathes through the cracks of every new verse.
  • Weezer will be releasing their ninth album, Everything Will Be Alright In The End, September 30th. The album is organized thematically around three groups of songs and uses the sound from the band's earlier days to create these new tracks.
  • Angus & Julia Stone's video for their single "A Heartbreak" premiered this week and this irresistible sibling duo already has me craving more of their sound. I couldn't be more excited to see what they have to bring to the table now that they're getting US support.
  • Timbaland's Rachel Assil released a soccer themed video for her single "Whoever We Are" (featured on the 'Pepsi: Beats of the Beautiful Game' LP). Listen to the track now for rich vocals, addictive beats, and a building melody that works to lift up inspirational lyrics.
  • The Griswolds "Down and Out" is as catchy as all of their other tracks. Don't let the fun productions and bouncing beats fool you; this band has an impeccable talent for hiding spectacular lyrics behind danceable melodies. Listen close and fall in love with the sound you'll want to be playing all summer. 
  • EVVY released her newest single "Collide" and proved that she is only getting better with each track. Check it for a clean production, fun lyrics, a beat that will make you move and, most importantly, a free download that you can add to all your summer playlists. 
  • Rubblebucket released their single "Carousel Ride" and I cannot stop listening to this on repeat. It's rhythmic perfection with a downbeat being played out on the bass and guitar whilst a light melody is held throughout and soft vocals with their gorgeously unique quality speak honest lyrics; all the while that instrumentation slowly lodges itself in your brain -- it's fantastic. 
  • The Occupants' "Streets" reads like a trip through the evolution of 'alternative rock' from its earliest stages, through the creation of every sub-genre, including a short visit through grunge and a running feeling of indie-rock, all balanced out with a double beat and a waltz-esque rhythm that hold the track together as it plays out in a modern alternative structure worthy of multiple listens. Also, lyrics like "all we need is right outside the door" which urge you to actually make shit happen, rather than sitting around and waiting for what you want, are pretty awesome. 
  • Ariana Grande released her latest single "Break Free" and it sounds like everything else released this summer. Her tracks are too overproduced for her sweet vocals and when she has to fight to be heard over the production it only highlights the fact that she sings through her nose... It's catchy though. Look for My Everything to be released August 25th.
  • Colbie Caillat's official music video for "Try" is just as understated and gorgeous as the track itself, with the refrain "you don't have to try so hard" played whilst showing women's make-up preparations, in reverse. The sweet track and video can be summed up easily though: you don't have to make yourself look like someone else to be pretty.
  • Charli XCX has announced the dates for her Fall headlining tour in North America. The tour will kick off September 26th at The Social in Orlando and will continue through October. Head here to get tickets and listen to her latest single "Boom Clap" (and the greatly addictive ASTR remix) to hear the optimism and pure life that leaks out of her every track. 
  • Karine Hannah's track, "Burning Up", reads like a boring diary from a teenager's first heartbreak with lyrics that lay across the surface, never delving deep, and cheap similes that sound like they came from your first attempt at the SAT Writing section. The vocals are flat and emotionless with a complete lack of proper pitch that really only makes me question how she got this far.
  • Fenech-Soler released the lyric video for their track "Last Forever" and, after spending all week listening to Rituals, I can only say that I've never been more impressed with a band whose initial impression had me thinking that they were nothing more than another alternative boy band. Their lyrics have depth, their rhythms are catchy as hell, melodies are spot on, the vocals are actually good, and you'll like having these tracks stuck in your head. Get the new album when it drops in the US August 26.
  • If you haven't heard Julian Taylor Band's Tech Noir yet, you're greatly missing out. All of the tracks are purely fantastic, but "Love Connection".. Freaking "Love Connection" went acoustic and took my heart because this track sounds like the good shit you grew up listening to on your parent's vinyl, laying on the worn carpet of your old living room floor with your eyes shut; that's this song. Check it out now and fall in love with the entire album.
  • MoXiiE's "Anyway" offers up a pop/techno track that feels fresh and different from everything else available right now. Check it out below for a fun track that feels just right.